5 Things Breastfeeding Moms Don’t Really Need

If you’ve walked into the baby gear section of store, you already know there is a lot to choose from. So many things that promise you will need them, so many that swear that they will make your life so much easier. Standing in a box store holding the little UPC gun to make your baby registry, or an empty shopping cart ready to fill with new baby gear can feel pretty overwhelming as you try to decide what is a waste of money, and what might actually make a difference in your life.

As breastfeeding is becoming more of a niche market, as we push the ability to be visible rather than ‘out of sight, out of mind’, companies meet that by creating many products geared specifically at nursing moms as well.

So what do you need? Or more specifically, what do you really not need?

1. “Just In Case” formula and bottles

A lot of women plan on breastfeeding exclusively, but have been scared into thinking they won’t have enough milk before they’ve even been able to try, so they have some formula and bottles on their registry ‘just in case.’ Babe, believe in yourself. That’s like trying a new complicated recipe for dinner, but having a bag of take-out on the counter ‘just in case.’ Give yourself the chance, and don’t mentally sabotage yourself into already preparing to fail. Lastly, if it’s there, most women will use it, because in times of worry, doubt, or stress, it will call it’s name loudly from wherever you’ve stashed it. So ban it from your home unless it truly is needed, and you fully understand how to balance the two.

2. Nipple shields or an SNS

Again, don’t preemptively decide you will need help. Leave gear like this to your trained lactation consultant to help you acquire and use properly if you end up needing it. Nipple shields, especially, can cause a whole slew of issues if not used under direction of a trained pro. (An SNS is a Supplemental Nursing System like the Lact-Aid, used for supplementing breast milk or formula at the breast, as baby nurses. We recommend working with an IBCLC in situations where a supplemental nursing system is necessary.)

3. Timers and Logs

While a mom who is very concerned about baby’s eating might want to make a simple tally of dirty and wet diapers, generally things that try to time or track breastfeeding aren’t going to do much but worry you — “If he eating too much?” “Is she not eating enough?” Remember just to watch your baby. It doesn’t matter if the baby feeding app says your baby is eating more frequently than usual today or has been nursing for a lot longer than the app deems necessary for one meal — if your baby wants to eat, feed them.

4. Nursing Covers and Shawls

To cover or not to cover, that is the question… isn’t it? While there are plenty of new mothers who like to use a cover in the newborn days when latch can still take a little time and effort, there are also many moms who feel perfectly comfortable lifting up or buttoning down their shirt. The important thing here is to only use a cover if you feel that you want to. Don’t feel pressured to use one, as there are many ways to nurse without one and many of them are just as (if not more!) discrete than a big cover. (And likewise, if you feel comfortable using a cover, never let anyone tell you that covering is akin to being ashamed of breastfeeding — it’s not!)

5. A Pump

If you’re not planning on working, really consider if a pump is even necessary. When a new mom is nervous about her supply, she’ll sometimes think she needs to pump after every nursing session (and sometimes, before, too!). This can lead to a slew of problems, including a massive oversupply. (Which might sound good in theory, but in practice, it can be really tough on baby and mom.) If you have to go back to work or are pumping in the early days due to special circumstances (preemies, for instance), make sure you buy a quality pump that is right for your situation. A small manual pump will be the bane of a full-time working mom’s existence (most working moms prefer double-electric pumps), so tailor your pump to your pumping needs, which might include not having a pump at all. (Some Babes -even full-time working mamas- forego the pump all together and use hand expression!)

Of course, every unique situation requires unique things. You may have some reason why this isn’t applicable to you, and I’m sure many of you have your own things to add that you absolutely didn’t need (but thought or were convinced you did!). Be very aware of things that could cause you problems or even sabotage your own belief in yourself from the get-go. One of the benefits of breastfeeding is that barring issues, often you don’t need anything special at all!

Christie Haskell is a coffee and tea-addicted wife to Kyle and mother of two wee beasties — Rowan (7) and Aurora the Destroyer (2). She’s a true geek at heart and spends too much time playing video games and reading fantasy novels when she’s not typing her fingers off for CafeMom’s The Stir or her personal blog-love, DailyMomtra.

37 Responses to 5 Things Breastfeeding Moms Don’t Really Need

omg seriously so true, I breastfed my first and only child till she was 2 years and 3 months old! I had ALL OF THAT except the shield that just seemed uncomfortable for me and my daughter. I RARELY used the pump because she wouldn’t take a bottle….I think we got her to take one maybe 6 times in her whole life and thats cause she had no choice as I had to be elsewhere and could not take her with. When it came to formula I became increasingly uncomfortable with the idea of possible contaminants in that formula (glass, mold, bugs, etc etc etc). The nursing cover…I loved mine, till she started to refuse to be under it and it made feedings so frustrating for both of us and I passed it on to a friend who wanted another one. all and all If for some odd reason we decide to have another child (which would require IVF) I would ditch all those items…and buy more clothes.

I was very gung-ho to breastfeed, and had no doubt in my mind that it would happen without issue. But I used a log to track feedings and diapers, and realized at the end of his third day that he hadn’t had anything in a diaper for 24 hours. So I called in some help, and found out that he was tongue tied and wasn’t transferring ANY milk. At that point, it was the middle of the night, the LC and I were trying to hand-express, but there was just about nothing because I’d had no proper stimulation for 3 days, and I really wished I had some formula on hand. As the baby was screaming from starvation, my father was driving around all of Brooklyn looking for any place open that had formula. Finally he found it, and the baby drank a cup of it every hour all night long.

The next morning I rented a pump to bring my supply in, while waiting for his appointment for surgery 2 days later. (We tried to get donor milk in a hurry, but they never showed up when and where they said to meet.) He still wanted to guzzle down a cup full every hour. I gave him whatever milk I had managed to pump, and then topped him off with formula. He clearly preferred the milk. Gradually I was able to give him more milk and less formula.

So, for my second baby I was prepared with a bottle and some formula, and a friend with a freezer stash she was willing to share. Luckily we didn’t need it.

But tongue tie is extremely common, and becoming more and more common, so I wouldn’t advise mothers not to be prepared for this possibility.

I would like to comment on the breast pump. I am so glad I have one. With DS I had to pump because I was working, but could NEVER leave him for longer than like 2 or 3 hours at a time because he was very needy and clingy and needed to nurse for comfort. This time around I have a very independant little girl that never nurses for comfort and has allowed me a few nights out already. Without pumped milk I would never be able to go anywhere, lol. It’s nice to have even for stay at home moms so you can get a break every now and then!

Absolutely! My intention was to say that unless you’re sure of your situation, it’s best to hold off so you can get a pump that suits your needs — whether that’s a fancy double-electric, or no pump at all!
But women need to also remember that trying to pump to prove you have “enough milk” or just because has some complications that you need to be aware of, so a mom with a newborn and a nervous mind might be better off not having one right away. I know I pumped like crazy and caused myself a TON of problems with my first because I had no idea what I was doing, but happened to have that little pump sitting there!
Hope that helps clarify!

I don’t really agree that you shouldn’t get a pump till you “need” one. I had MAJOR mastitis and only had a hand pump. DH had to run out in the middle of the night to find me a pump because DD wouldn’t nurse much on the mastitis side and wasn’t draining it so in desperation, with me in horrible pain and having a really high fever he ran to walmart and got an electric pump. Unfortunately it was a “cheap” pump and didn’t work that well so it didn’t help (and might have made things worse hard to say). Had I planned ahead I would have bought a medela or ameda but I needed one RIGHT THEN and the only place to get one in town was closed. I ended up with MRSA and surgery because of all this. Not saying a good pump would have prevented that but it might have if I’d had it early enough and could have cleared the clog. None of this I could have forseen and when it happened it was too late. So personally I don’t think having a good pump on hand is a bad idea. Then again like you said we are all unique and will all have our own preferences.

I personally would say get a pump unless you are for some reason REALLY anti-pumping. But don’t make it your primary means of getting milk. If you think you will have more than one child a good pump will be worth the money even if you rarely use it imo. For the same reason I will always have bottles and formula on hand, might buy a nipple shield (the mastitis started with horribly injured nipples because of a bad latch) and personally I use a cover of some sort (but I also rarely nurse in public).

Please re-write this. It is imperative that a new mom as the tools readily available to avoid dehydration in her baby. A hospital grade pump, in my opinion, should be provided for EVERY new mom. AND a backup supply, of expressed donor milk, or formula if that is what the mom decides, is something EVERY new mom should have. It is horrific to realize your baby is dehydrated to the point of not wetting for over 24 hours, so wet diaper logs are a MUST. Please, please re-write this. It is great if you don’t need the supplements, or the log is full of wet and dirty diapers, but you won’t know you need these things if you don’t have them until it’s too late. It is cheap, CHEAP insurance.

Logs may be helpful in the first few days but it can literally be notes jotted on a piece of scrap paper–fancy logs are not necessary. We do agree that donor milk should be kept on hand in every maternity center, and formula for the tiny percentage of babies that are galactosemic. However, we don’t agree with you about providing breastpumps to every new mother. Mothers who are getting expert help by competently trained healthcare professionals won’t get to the 24 hour mark of dehydration. Instead, brand new mothers in the first few days postpartum should be taught hand-expression which is generally considered to result in more milk with fewer problems (engorgement from too much pumping, use of bottles instead of direct breastfeeding).

I have to sort of disagree with or add to a couple of these:
#3, I have given up the logs, but at first, the tally of wet and dirty diapers was a relief for me. In the hospital, a pediatrician told me I wasn’t heavy enough to breast feed and started ordering formula for my son because his colostrum intake was “too low” and he wasn’t urinating as much as they thought he should. They terrified me so much, I nearly gave up breastfeeding immediately. However, I gave it another try and that log of wets and dirties was what encouraged me daily. I cheered as the numbers went up, and started feeling more confident. My son left the hospital at 5 lbs 15 oz, and weighed 10 lbs by his four week checkup!

#5 I am now pumping daily since I’ve gone back to work, but I found that I did need a pump much earlier. When we were still new to breastfeeding, my son had a cluster feed session and wanted to eat nearly every hour for a couple days. My nipples were exploding with pain and I was exhausted. I needed a break! So, I bought a manual pump, filled two bottles worth of milk and had someone watch and feed my son for a few hours so I could take a nap. I did this a couple times in the early weeks when my nipples were still sore and the feeding was painful. Fortunately, my son never had nipple confusion and still loves nursing far more than any bottle. We are now at 10 weeks and I feel extremely confident with nursing. No more pain, no more confusion and far more sleep!

I really like the concept of this list because so much baby gear is such an unnecessary waste of money! I think number one is CRITICAL– the “just in case formula” in my mind is just setting yourself up for trouble…especially if you don’t have a strong support partner at home. And I like that you’re encouraging moms to forgo the cover altogether…I covered in the early days, but then figured out that I actually thought covering for other people’s comfort was a little silly. Eventually I only covered when I felt like it, not when I felt like other people around me dictated it.

The one item I would take off this list and would say is a necessity is the pump. It’s probably my socio-economic situation that makes me feel that way: I knew I had to go back to work at 12 weeks, and most of my friends have too. If it hadn’t been for that big ticket double electric pump being on my registry, obtaining it would have been a stretch for us (this was just before the IRS ruled to allow FSAs to cover pumps). Just my two cents!

I wouldn’t say I’m telling them to forgo the cover completely. After all, I personally used a cover with both children because it made *me* more comfortable since I was hiding my SKIN, not the baby (despite attracting much more attention) until my daughter, my second, decided it was annoying and a game and refused to nurse with one. So, I had to learn to do without, and it’s so much easier, but takes a little more practice!
Rather than saying you shouldn’t use one, my goal is to tell women you don’t NEED one unless you feel YOU want one — that you shouldn’t feel like in order to nurse in public you HAVE to be covered because other people say you do. But for moms who want one, the important thing is the baby AT the breast, so all is well!

We’re in violent agreement on the cover :-). I see the discussion on the Facebook page got a little nasty around the point of covering or not covering– but I heartily agree with you that mom should do so (or not do so) based on HER comfort, and not worry about the sillies around her :-). It took me a while to get to that level of empowerment– I just sort of assumed in the beginning you were SUPPOSED to cover (I even took mine to the hospital!).

Hmmm, interesting article but I don’t really agree with 3,4 or 5. I HAD to have something to remind me when I last nursed and on what side! I’d end up with a fussy baby who couldn’t latch on my engorged breast because I waited too long or fed on the wrong side! Solution–free iPhone app imilk. As for a cover–you better believe I didn’t want to show off my stretchmark covered muffin top in public. As for the pump it was a GODSEND! I could pump off a little if I was engorged and ended up being able to stockpile some extra for the sitter when we finally got to go on a much needed date. I guess the lesson here is EVERYBODY iS DIFfereNt so
Don’t be afraid to do what works for you!!

I agree that there’s a lot you don’t need to have for the “just in case” situation – especially since many drugstores are open 24/7 nowdays and are open if you absolutely *must* have a bottle at 2am.

However, I partially disagree about the pump. Even though I exclusively breastfed my two children, I found my manual breast pump invaluable. I got plugged ducts a number of times (which I *swear* was linked to consumption of Diet Coke/Aspartame), and the pump helped me to relieve the plug when my children simply couldn’t nurse it out. I’ve since learned how to properly massage (manually express) a plug out when I feel one just starting.

I think it’s always helpful to take a group of veteran breastfeeding moms with you (bribe them with a night out solo). They’ll be able to help you cut through the marketing and let you know what really worked and what to leave on the shelf.

On #5, I forgot to bring some pumping supplies to work today & I freaked out til I remembered a video I had seen on manual expression. I gave it a try and was so surprised! I wsn’t able to empty my breasts that way, but it really helped to take the edge off until I could get home and pump

I disagree with this list. Is it really ALL or nothing? Can’t we feel good about BFing even if we use these 5 things? I expected formula and pacifiers but not this list! Don’t make new mom’s feel like failures for using help! Without all of the things listed in the article as unnecessary…I would have failed. Instead I am celebrating 19 months of BF today. For me the first week was the hardest. Baby was tongue tied and until that was fixed she had a shallow latch. First, there is nothing wrong with a nipple shield for the comfort of the mother and to help baby latch on. Sometimes having a “crutch” is all that keeps you going when your nipples are cracked, you have blood blisters and you just want to quit! I stopped using it those first days as soon as baby got the latch (few min). I never used again after my nipples healed (2nd week). I also needed the hand powered pump for my own comfort during the uncomfortable engorgement. If not I would have had plugged ducts (which can cause mastitis). I used the extra milk and yes a bottle to allow dad or grandma to feed a meal (after six weeks). The logs kept me sane AND the doctor required it. Docs are ignorant sometimes, but they just want to be sure the baby is not failure to thrive. Can you imagine how difficult it would be continue BF if your doctor is telling you that you are hurting your baby’s development? The logs help you provide evidence to your doctor that you are providing sufficient nutrition. A nursing cover and wrap were my best friends. It would take me about 15 min to get a good latch. Nipple was exposed the whole time and NO I was not comfortable with random visitors seeing my goods and giving me unwanted advice (especially the latter). I also have a funny story about my MIL putting up a sheet next to me to protect FIL even with the cover! Talk about uncomfortable! LOL I also loved my Breast friend pillow, bobby and lansinoh creme. LLL book is also a must. Those 5 things (with exception of formula) give women the empowerment to continue BF, even when it gets tough. They were not useless to me. I’d hate for someone to lack support and quit because they believe it is all natural (and easy) or not at all.

I found the pump extremely useful from the first week. I first took it with me to the hospital to make sure I had the proper flange. It’s a good thing I did because while the one that came with it fit, it just wasn’t the best fit I needed to go a step down. Then when I was engorged, it help me take the edge off and safe the precious milk so baby didn’t choke from the overflow. Then when little man was a lazy nurser and wasn’t gaining enough weight, I used it to see how much milk was remaining after he would eat to see if it was a milk supply issue or him not sucking it all out. Since he understimulated me after my oversupply, I was able to figure it out and then use the pump to help encourage my body to make more milk.
I disagree with the cover. I use it when I can not because I’m ashamed to bf in public but because I’m more comfortable if I’m covered. If I’m relaxed then its easier for the let down process to take place. Although I do have to say, I didn’t use it until little man was older. These days its easy to get an inexpensive cover online so I went ahead and did that.
With the formula, I got samples in the mail, kept them around because I didn’t know what to do with them (not “just in case”). I ended up donating them to the local Salvation Army center that does prenatal care for lower income women & families. Seemed like a win-win to me since not everyone is capable of bfing.

I also disagree with the pump. I was planning to go back to work so had my pump ready to go. I used it throughout my labor at home (at the direction of my midwife), and for the weeks afterward to help my milk come in when he wouldn’t latch and supplement when he wasn’t getting enough. The pump, along with the nipple shield, saved breast-feeding for me and I’m sure glad I got it ahead of time.

Do people seriously go out and buy an SNS expecting to maybe need it? Really? I have never heard of that, and most of the time people have no clue such a device even exists (I didn’t until I needed one). I guess maybe if they’d had a breast reduction or other breast surgery, but not something that most moms-to-be are going to be thinking about, much less aware of. After having used one for 7 months I can’t imagine that it’s on anyone radar unless they had prior issues. Things like nipple shields (and an SNS if people get that far) are things bought out of desperation or recommendation, not in baby planning mode.

I think for me, getting the pump before LO was born was a wise choice. My insurance covered most all of it. I think I only had to pay around $30 in the end. I needed a doctors note sent to the insurance company, and then they ordered it and sent it. It took a few weeks. I EBF my baby until 6 months, and still going strong. But there were a few nights where I just needed a little relief from engorgement, and having the pump available was awesome. I’m glad I didn’t have to wait 2-3 weeks to get my pump from insurance!! I guess I could have use manual expression, but I didn’t have enough knowledge about it at the time.

I don’t usually comment much, but since most of the comments here are disagreeing with the list, I’ll chime in. ; ) Based on MY experience, I completely AGREE with the list. If a breastfeeding relationship goes well (without complications/working out of the home) none of these things are really necessary. And just like birth, breastfeeding would most likely work well MOST of the time, if we all just relaxed. There are, of course, exceptions, as with everything in life.

My daughter (first baby) had formula once, only because we had it in the house and my husband was impatient. Fortunately she threw it up very soon afterwards. I never used formula other than that one time. Just having it definitely seemed to be a temptation/push for other people (my mom, husband) to pressure me to “take a break”. They start solid foods soon enough, which helps with taking breaks.

When my son (second baby) was born, my midwife gave me nipple shields because she thought I would have trouble with sensitive skin, etc. And I did. Big time. Tear-inducing, needles-shooting-out-the-nipples kind of pain. But I only used the shields once or twice, and they didn’t seem to help. Lansinoh lanolin helped a lot though.

I never used timers or logs. When the babies were hungry, I fed them. When they needed a clean diaper, I changed it. They were healthy and didn’t appear to be having any trouble, so why worry about it? I think one thing that aids the success of breastfeeding is being able to “go with the flow”, instead of trying to schedule everything and stressing when things don’t go exactly as planned.

Again, I never used a nursing cover. Nursing in public did take some getting used to. Once in a while I used a receiving blanket or scarf (not something specifically made for the purpose) to cover if it seemed the people around me might take exceptional offense. But during my almost five years (total) of breastfeeding, and breastfeeding everywhere from the mall to church (and NOT in the bathrooms), I’ve rarely used a cover, and never felt like I was showing too much skin. Well-placed clothing and baby really do cover up everything necessary. I never used clothing made for nursing either–just normal, everyday stuff.

I tried to use a pump after both babies. Both times (different pumps) were more of an irritation and hassle than it was worth to me. But being a stay-at-home mom, I didn’t “need” to pump. Babies are so much more efficient than breastpumps! The money spent on those pumps was a total waste.

The only thing you absolutely do not need if you are breastfeeding is formula. I’m a stay-at-home breastfeeding mom of twins. One of my girls still uses the nipple shield at 15 months despite all our efforts to get rid of it. The log was my best friend in the beginning to keep some sort of sanity. I pumped to help my supply in the beginning and then to be able to get out of the house later on. We quit pumping and using bottles around 9 months when they started nursing less. And sometimes you just want to be covered up, but usually a receiving blanket does the trick. Both girls are happy and healthy, so I couldn’t ask for more.

I do agree that all these things can be purchased as needed and not before. I was told if breastfeeding is going well buy a pump, and if it is not rent one. We rented for a month before we decided to buy. And the lactation consultants at the hospital will give you nipple shields.

I agree that the just in case formula bottles are possibly setting up a woman for failure, but if the mom is planning on going back to work and pumping she will need bottles, so they aren’t really a bad thing to have on a registry. I went back to work when my first was 14 weeks ole. I also needed bottles with my second child. I had a serious over supply and over active let down. I had to pump at least 2 ounces before I could feed. I would have been lost without the bottles.

I am 44 years old with 3 children. My first daughter is 23 and my son is 21. I also have a 15 month old daughter. My experience as a breastfeeder is both past and current. I breastfed both my older children and continue to breastfeed my baby. I never consider using any formula for any of my children. I guess I was just so committed to breastfeeding and confident that I could that I didn’t even think twice about it. 23 years ago I never heard of nipple shields, so when my baby was born, I wasn’t looking for them. 23 years ago I was taught to time my baby’s feeds and alternate breast. I tried this until I got completely frustrated because I kept losing track. I would even forget to move the safely pin from one bra strap to the other! I gave up on that and just did my best. There are enough things to stress out about as a parent, that was not one for me. I was very nervous about breastfeeding in public the first time. I remember being in a very large shopping mall and it was feeding time. I walked my daughter over 30 minutes back to the car to nurse in private. After that, it was just a process of being comfortable with myself. If you have a good support person, ask them to watch you feed your baby and see how much they can see. You will be surprised at how much your baby’s head actually hides! Once again, 23 years ago pumps were not that popular where we lived. I was taught and encouraged to hand pump if necessary, especially in the beginning when the milk first came in. I only had to express a bit of milk a few times, then my supply adjusted to my baby’s need. I stopped breastfeeding my 23 year old daughter at 10 months because I was nervous that she wasn’t getting enough milk. Wrong! I stopped breastfeeding my 21 year old son because I went back to work. I worked a week and quit, but my milk supply had already dried up. Lots of regret! I am enjoying the intimacy of breastfeeding my 15 month old baby. I have said that I wanted to continue until she is about 18 months old and then see from there. I am 3 months from that and still not sure that I am ready to quit. I guess I’ll see how she is feeling in another 3 months.

The most important thing to remember is that this article (and others like it) are written as a general guideline (or opinion of one person) and are NOT definitive rules to live by. I think the information is valuable and needs to be looked at with an open mind. Every woman is different. Every baby is different. And every situation is different. Let’s just take the information, use what we need and shelve the rest. Happy Breastfeeding!

I am a nurse IBCLC and agree with this for the most part and recognize that its approach is to the normal baby with a normal milk supply coming. With a term baby and a adequate (and timely) milk supply plus a baby who latches relatively easily, things can work fine without the need for extra “stuff”. (Since the Pump In Style was invented in 1996 and the Boppy in 1991 – I did manage to nurse four kids in the 80s without either – but all 41 weekers.)
In the hospital setting – we are sometimes dealing with a 35-37 weeker who is now jaundiced and sleepy – but not in a NICU. Since the baby is not in the NICU, isn’t he or she ready to do this effectively? Not always. This baby is possibly going home at less than 48 hours – prior to a full milk supply. Paying attention to how the baby is feeding, output, and possibly some pumping in order to establish a milk supply if baby is not feeding well – all potential good reasons for “tools”.
Recognizing risk factors for feeding problems or supply problems and then use of a pump or supplemental system may actually salvage breastfeeding (or a supply) rather than hinder it. (pumps can be rented short term if needed short term)
Many times we educate and help parents to trust the NORMAL breastfeeding experience. No, you don’t need to pump to prove something is there. Yes, it can be normal to feed every hour and a half in the early days.
And sometimes we help parents through the complications to get them TO the normal. A good IBCLC can be a nice tool at times.

I agree, great list. I wish I would have seen this before I gave birth! The moral of the story is to WAIT until baby is here before you waste your money on things you don’t need! I bought just a manual pump and I wish I hadn’t because I never used it. Thank goodness I didn’t get the fancy double electric! If it makes a mom more comfortable, she could shop around for the exact pump she wants and wait to see if she needs it, then send daddy out if she needs it last minute. Same goes with the rest of the stuff.

I strongly agree with this list but especially the nipple shield! I hear so many moms buying a nipple shield before delivery because their friend said it helps with the pain. If you have pain, you should seek out help, NOT a nipple shield. I am not against the nipple shields entirely! If you feel you need a nipple shield you probably need the assistance of an IBCLC!

I love this article and should we be blessed with another kiddo, I am going to try to do a “stuff” free pregnancy and life with this one. The only one I will disagree with is #3. I knew well enough not to schedule feedings, but using the Itsbeen timer, I got a sense of what schedule the baby was trying to develop and it helped me in the end be more proactive that reactive with breastfeeding.

I disagree with #3, I’ve breastfed 2 kids for over a year each. With an iPhone app the second time was Much easier. I used my app for tracking and not for telling me what to do. Fed on demand, but I really appreciated looking at trends and not having to remember anything since app easily documented. A few examples were when baby went through the poop just once a week phase, I knew exactly how long it had been and helped me NOT worry. Also later months tracking my pumping output vs baby bottle intake at daycare to see how well I was keeping up with/ outpacing / falling behind (over the course if a few weeks at a time….trends take more than a day or two to emerge).